De-notify reserved forest areas that cover major towns: Arunachal CM

The CM said the state government intends to undo the past injustice, where many existing villages and community lands were notified as reserved forest.

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has appealed to the Centre for de-notification of reserved forest areas that cover major towns and large human habitations, especially those in the foothill areas, on a case-by-case basis.

He said this in a meeting with Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar at New Delhi yesterday.

The chief minister said the state government intends to undo the past injustice, where many existing villages and community lands were notified as reserved forest, especially during 1970s to 1990s, an official report said here today.

"The boundaries of reserved areas were drawn without actually mapping the area on the ground flouting all the rules and procedures," Pul pointed out.

He mentioned that several portions in all major district headquarters in the state are under reserved areas.

Even important institutions and establishments in Itanagar, such as Raj Bhawan, CM?s office, and many important government building are well within the notified areas.

"Several banks and financial institutions such as NeDFI and NABARD are not ready to invest or provide loan for setting up businesses due to such constraints. Also projects for essential services like roads, drinking water schemes and hydel projects are being stalled," the chief minister added.

He said, several areas in the foothills are under reserved areas, due to which the scope for establishment of business and offices are constrained.